2019 WBF Christmas Ornament

Description

Back in 1905, a brightly lit pavilion in south Wrightsville Beach, known as the “Fun Spot of the South”, opened for the first time. It was referred to by many names including, “The Pleasure Palace of the South,” “The Fun Spot of the South,” and “The Palace of Light.”

In June 1905, Hugh MacRae, who owned Consolidated Railways Light & Power Company, Wilmington’s electric utility, opened Lumina Pavilion near the last stop of Wrightsville’s electric trolley line.

MacRae’s motivation for creating Lumina was to promote beach tourism, encourage folks to ride on the trolleys, and to encourage the use of electricity. He lit up Lumina Pavilion with over a thousand incandescent bulbs which brightly lit up his three story, 25,000 square foot dance hall. The Lumina building was so bright sailors could navigate their ships by it.Comment Highlight The ground floor of Lumina Pavilion featured dressing rooms, a promenade, a bowling alley, refreshment stands, a movie theater and other amusements. The second level had a ballroom/dance floor, a restaurant with a fireplace for cold nights, a balcony, and band shell for orchestras and big bands, like Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong. On the third floor a 15-foot wide promenade overlooked the dance floor.